The new UK operation of Italian aerial platform and spider lift manufacturer Socage will be based in Worcestershire after working with commercial property agency John Truslove.
Socage UK, the recently formed distribution and servicing arm of the business, will open its new UK headquarters in January at Unit 3 on Mere Green Business Village, Salt Way, in the village of Hanbury, near Droitwich Spa.
Ben Truslove, joint managing director at John Truslove, assisted Socage UK in securing a five-year lease on the 8,303 sq ft trade counter warehouse.
Socage UK MD Craig Rooke said he was now working closely with the landlord, who had committed to extending the premises in the coming years as the fledgling company grew.
“To start with there will just be the two of us – myself and a service engineer,” said Craig. “But as we supply more equipment to rental companies and end-users such as utility companies, we will recruit more staff and grow the business.
“It’s an exciting time. Socage previously supplied through a UK dealership and our platforms and spiders are already used by companies such as BT and Scottish & Southern Electricity.
“We will be aiming to establish direct links with companies like this as well as supplying any business working at height, from tree surgeons and local authorities to roofing and cleaning companies.”
Socage is a leading European manufacturer of the full spectrum of aerial working platforms, from spider lifts and cherry pickers fitted on pick-ups to truck mounted booms.
Rooke, an industry veteran, was appointed MD of Socage UK in August as the Italian parent company prepared for the launch of the new British-based operation.
He added: “We spotted the Mere Green premises online and contacted the team at John Truslove. They introduced us to the landlord, who has been hugely helpful.
Ben Truslove said: “The key to our business is putting the right tenant with the right landlord. Combined with our unrivalled portfolio of commercial properties in the area, it makes us the go-to agency for any company looking for new premises.
“We are delighted to have played a part in the launch of this exciting new business and look forward to seeing it grow in the years to come.”
Mere Green Business Village lies four miles east of Droitwich, five miles from Worcester, three miles from Bromsgrove and five miles from Redditch. Birmingham city centre is ten miles to the north and the site is just 10 minutes drive from the M5, giving access to the Midlands motorway network.
Its three trade warehouse units have already attracted Wynnstay Farm Supplies and Northloop Autohaus as tenants.